Filter bottom



J. P. MYRON FILTER BoT'ToM )Jung 121,' 1945.

' Filed Dec. 5, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet` l 1. .I4 1J 4. I E j n r. r.. L r.. 4 l., l..

June 12,1945. J. P MYRN FILTER BoTTou.

Ffled Dec. 5, '1942 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 J. P. MYRoN FILTER BOTTOM A.luna 1'2, 1945.

` integration and tuberculation, as well memea .mee 12, 194s FILTER BOTTOM -.lohn P. Myron, lvlttsburgm'la.; Rose execntrix of said John P. Myron, deceased.- signor to F. B. Leopold Company, Ine., vl, corporation of Delaware Appueauen neeember s, 1942, serial Neutrinol iscmms.

My invention relates to iilter bottoms or villter under-drains, for use in rapid sand or mechanical water iilters andthe like to support the ltering medium', for the purpose of producing a clear and sanitary water supply, or for use as an underdrain system for iilters in sewage treatment plants. i Y' In general, my invention further relates to a uniform flow downwardly through the filtering medium in the process of illtering the water and a uniform ilow upwardly, 'that is, in the reverse direction, through the iilterlng medium when the filter bed is given periodic washings, in accordancewith a well-known piiactice` -Y Heretofore, as evidenced, for example, by Patent No. 1,572,398, February 9, 1926, Frederick B. Leopold, lter bottoms have been constructed of a combination of two or three dierent materials, some or all of which were subject to corrosion or disintegration and tuberculation.

It is very essential in the design of such filter'- Y 'bottoms to-provide for an even ow of water throughout the entire areal oi' the filter bed both when filtering and when washing the same. Furthermore, -it is very important to eliminate 'compressed air pockets in any part ofthe illter bottom and to provide a free circulation of water.A therein.

One object ofmy invention, therefore, is* to provide a iilter bottom capable ,of producing the above-mentioned desirable results and,'in particular, a lter bottom comprising a plurality of units, preferably made of Aa material having a glazed surface and each including one or more distributor chambers located beneath and having communication with the filter bed, together with a lateral conduit located beneath and having communication with said chambers, each'set of distributor chambers, their respectively corresponding lateral conduit andall of the corresponding communication means being embodied in a unitary structure, thereby to prevent corrosion, dis- 's contamination of the water supply from conta t with metal parts, none of which is exposed to the uid in my present invention.

Another object of my invention is to so construct and arrange the units of the iilter bottom that, when located in nal position, all such units are permanently held in such position by means of concrete grout, asphaltum or other similar inaterms, together with summe belt-like heidingdown or anchorage means, thereby preventing apparatus of the character set forth for producing (Cl. 21o-148)' high water pressure fromlifting or "blowingv up the beds. v

A further object of my invention is t units of the character set forth, including distributor chambers, lateral conduits and the necessary communication means, together with a provision for interlocking the units between adjacent distributor chambers or lateral conduits or both, whereby on account of the unitary' structures mentioned and the interlocking thereof, an exlAnother object-.of my invention is to provide a plurality of metallic members of a special form .15 having one portion disposed in the base or sup--l port of the filter and' another portion 'disposed in cementitious material between the blocks or units for the purpose of rigidly anchoring certain portions of the iilter bottom in place.l A still further object of my invention is to provide a illter bottom` in which the ends of adjacent lateral conduits are in communication with eachother, thereby to eliminate'compressed air pockets of the prior art at such end points vand g5 -provide a complete circulation of water through said lateral conduits.

Other objects of my invention will become evident from the following -detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: g

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in top plan of a iilter bottom and base constructed in accordance with my present invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in'longitudinal section and Fig. 3 a view-in transverse section of the "structure shown in Fig. 1;

Figs'. 4 and 5 are perspective views of the individual units or blocks that may be utilized in the present invention; y

Fig. 6 is a view in top plan and Fig. 7 a view in longitudinal section of such an individual unit or block;

Fig. 8 is van lenlarged sectional view of a portionI of the structure shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3; 45 Figs. 9 and '1Q are views, respectively, in trans-k verse section Aand in top plan of a-modificatio'n of the structure shown in Fig. 8; and l Fig. 11 is a view, partly in top plan and partly taken along the line XI'-XI oi' Fig. 14, while Figs. 12. 1'3 and 14 are, respectively, 'sectional views taken along the flilies XII-XII, XIII-XIII and XIV-XIV of vFig. 11, showing another feature of the present invention.

provide l cepti'onally stable and permanent installation may Referring met to Figs. 1 te s, inclusive, the structure there shown comprises a suitable base or tank-like bottom support I of concrete or the like, having a ilat floor 'I on which a plurality of `\my special units or blocks 2 are disposed in sideby-side and end-to-end relation, a suitable filtering medium 3, such as sand, being piled to a predetermined height above the blocks 2, a main supply pipe 4 disposedin the bottom portion of the base I, and a plurality of holding-down or anchorage means 5 disposed in the vicinity of said pipe or elsewhere, as desired.

The concrete base or bottom support 'I may comprise a plurality of upstanding walls 6 and a floor 'I of usual character. In the upper face of floor 1, one or more depressions or flumes 8 are providedfonly one beingy shown, into which the pipe 4 enters, as shown in Figs. 2 and 8.

Each of my special units or blocks 2, shown in detail in Figs. 4 to 7, inclusive, comprises a top wall II having a multiplicity lof small' regularly arranged openings I2, side walls 9 and ID extending downwardly from said top wall provided with a plurality of grooves or longitudinal -slots I3, I4 and I5 for receiving grout or other cementitious material, preferably a pair of upper or distributor chambers or openings I6 and l separated by an interior wall or reinforcing partition i8, which distributor chambers are thus each in communication with certain of the upper perforations I2, and a lateral conduit I9 disposed below the distributor chambers I6 and Il and substantially coextensive in width therewith, a plurality of openings or ports materially larger than the perforations l2 being provided between each of the distributor chambers and said lateral conduit.

Each block 2 is preferably provided with a glazed surface so that no tuberculation occurs and no sediment or impurities will become attached to the filter bottom to cause an unsanitary condition. Moreover, the unitary structure of blocks 2 serve to prevent the disintegration of the prior-art piecemeal structures.

The'opem'ngs 20 correspond in total area to the total area of perforations I2. By using openings 20 instead of the bent-over pipes IU, for exampld-of the above-identified Leopold patent, uidmay flow directly upwardly toward perforations I2. Any possibility of breakage of the top wall II, by reason of such undefle'cted flow,

is completely prevented by the provision of the reinforcing partition bers I6 and I1.

Each of the distributor chambers I6 and I'I is I8 intermediate the champrovided with an integralprojection or solid cap 2I and 22, respectively, at one end of each block 2, while the lateral conduit just below these projections is provided with an outstanding rim 23.

On the opposite end of each block 2, the distributor chambers I6 and I1 have a'n opening of such size as to closely t around the -projections 2| and 22 on the adjacent block, while the lateral conduit I9 has an enlarged opening 24 just below the ends of the distributor chambers of such size as to closely lit around the rim 23 of the ad- Y jacent block 2` In this way, each of the blocks is longitudinally interlocked in three places with each endwise adjacent or neighboring block, the distributor chambers thus being segregated in each block, whereas the lateral conduits extend through from one block to another. These features follow because of the solid characteristic of the projec- Cil nous 2| and 22 andthe hollow or apertureacharacteristlc ofthe rim 23.

While these interlocking parts securely hold `with the iluid being filtered.

the blocks in alinement longitudinally, the blocks are held in place laterally by means of grout, asphalt or other cementitious material 28 disposed between the sides of the blocks, this material being disposed, in addition to the space directly between the blocks, in the grooves or slots I3, I4 and I'pwhich thus serve to securely anchor each two blocks together laterally.

Referring to Fig. 8 and particularly the holding-down or anchorage means 5, the pipe is shown as imbedded in the concrete base l and leading into the flume or depression 8, in which a'deilector plate 29 is intermediately disposed, being anchored in position by suitable bolts 3d and nuts 3l. An opening 32 in the bottom wall of each block 2 that is located above a flume 8 is provided to permit flow of the fluid being treated.

In the vicinity of the pipe 4, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, a plurality of bent metallic or bolt-like members 5 having upper horizontal portions Sil and lower vertical portions 35 are placed substantially at the corners of a vrectangle within the grout or other cementitious material located between one of the blocks 2 and each of its adjacent blocks. The horizontal portions 3d of each bolt-like member are disposed in the cemented space opposite the large grooves or slots i5 in adjacent blocks, while the vertical portions 35 extend through the horizontal base portion l, the lower ends thereof being provided with suitable nuts and washers 36 to provide a further anchoring feature.

By reason of the provision of these bolt-like members, it will be noted that certain pairs of the blocks are deiinitely anchored to the base portion just below. It will be appreciated that as many of these holding-down or anchoring assembliesas desired may be employed. This anchoring feature, combined with the above-mentioned triple interlocking structures between the ends of each pair of blocks, serves to securely retain all of the blocks in their desired position, thus preventing high water pressure or the like from lifting or blowing up any portion of the filter bottom.

It will be noted that in the structure so far described, no metallic parts are exposed to the iluid being filtered. thus preventing contamination from this source. For example, in the abovementioned Leopold patent, metallic bent pipes I0 are utilized to conduct fluid from the lateral conduits to the distributor chambers, and the upper ends of such pipes are in direct contact Referring t0 Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, the structure there shown constitutes another means of anchoring or holding down the blocks 2.

The metallic anchoring structures 4i) there shown may comprisea bolt-like member 4I having a bent lower portion 42, or such lower portion may be merely enlarged or provided with anut or the like in order to produce an additional anchoring characteristic. Th heads 43 of these bolts may be disposed at whatever spacing is desired in the large openings blocks 2) filled with cementitious material, and the portion of the bolt below each of the heads extends downwardly into the concrete base l, being provided, as noted above, with some bent or enlarged lower end to produce a suitable anchoring characteristic.

To provide a still further anchoring feature, a pair of steel rods 44 or the like extends longitudinally through said spaces` I5 under and in contact with the heads 43 of the respective bolt- I5` (of adjacent4 Y, l 2,878,239 like members between alined pairs of blocks 2.

It will `be understood that as many sets of bolts and rods as desired may be employed. l

In this way, any' tendencyjof the blocks to lift or blow up is lcounteract'ed not 'only by the fact that the bolt-likemember is anchored in A the cement 1, -but also by the fact that the reinforcing rods 44 are held down by the heads 43 of ^the longitudinally' alined bolt-like members.

While not necessarily so limited, it is .noted that,A in general, the holding-down or anchoring structure shown in Fig. 8 is perhaps best adapted for old construction, that is, where the concrete base is already in existence, in which case holes may be drilled through the base Tto accommo- 'date thevertical portions 35 of the bolt-like members and the nuts 3E may be screwed on-the lower ends thereof. However, for new work where-the base-'I is poured as a part of the entire new lter structure,v the holding-down or end passages I4 within the pipe sections 55 which may, if desired, be set in place inthe concrete when molded, in eifect a continuous passage 54 extending yfrom one side to the otler at the end of each row of blocks is provided. In this way, no ,compressed air pockets are possible and water to be altered enters the alter tank rl at the top, passes downwardly through the filter bed 3,

through perforations I2 in units 2, through distributor chambers I6 and I1 and openings 20 into lateral conduits I9 and thencelthrough opening 32A to pipe 4.

anchoring devices shown in' Fig. 9 are preferably employed, in which case the bolt-like members are set in the concrete base 1, as illustrated.

The structureillustrated in Fig. 8 is preferably assembled as follows: The necessary holes for receiving vertical bolt portions V35 are drilled through the lbase 1 and nuts 36 are then tightly l screwed on the lower ends thereof, the horizontal portions 34 being turned inthe proper directions, that is,- each pair facing each other and extending substantially parallel to the expected longitudinal direction of the blocks, which'are the'n assembled in place on top of the base.`

Cementitious material is then poured between the blocks, enveloping the horizontal members MWhen washing the filter, filtered water under pressure in pipe 4 is forced upwardly through opening 32 into lateral conduits I9, through openings 20, distributor chambers I 6 and I'l,l and perforations I2 into and through filter bed 3 and thence into a drain (not shown).

By providing lateral conduits and distributor chambers as shown with large cross-sectional area and with suitable openings 20 and perforations I2, waterunder substantially uniform or even pressure is delivered throughout the full area of the filter bed 3, so that at the side walls 6 of the filter, the bed is thoroughlmwashed to the same extent as it is in the center. v,

Moreover, by interconnecting the ends of the lateral conduits I9, equal fluid presslres are in- The'structure illustrated-in Fig. 9 is'preferably assembled in a similar manner. The base' is poured with the bolt-like members 4I (of theV selected form) vembedde'd therein. A pair of steel rods 44 is then assembled in place beneath the head 43 of each such bolt-like member, ex-

tending substantially parallel to the 4expected longitudinal directionnof the blocks, which are then assembled in place on top of the base.

.Cementitious material is then poured between thev blocks, .enveloping the upper part of members 4I including bolt heads 43, and steel rods Referring to Figs.` 1l to 14, inclusive, the structure there shown is preferably employed in connection with the filter bottom shown in Fig. 1.- It will be noted .that all of the blocks or unitsf except those in the end row, may be duplicatesk 'I'he additional feature of corner block 5| and l inner blocks 52 comprises rectangular members or pipe sections 55 /which serve toconnect the lateral conduits I9 in eachv pair of blocks, by

-means of internal passages 54 in said pipe sectlons S5. Suitable sockets or depressions 5l may .be molded or otherwise formed where required sured at all times over the entire filter bed and unsanitary and dangerous compressed air pockets are entirely eliminated, since a complete circulation of water through and aroundthe several lateral conduits is produced.

It will be' appreciated that I have thus provided anovel and advantageous lter. bottom orillter under-drain inwhich the distributor passages, the lateral conduits and the communication passages between the two and into the filter bed proper are all embodied in unitary blocks which are interlocked endwise by means of complementary projections and sockets and are held in position sidewise by means of' grouting disposed in slots or grooves. In addition, the blocks Vare, held down or anchored by means of metallic members extending from certain of the abovementioned grooves between the blocks into the fset forth, as various further modifications thereof may be effected without departing from the spirit f and scope of my invention.- ll/giesire, therefore,

in the blocks 5| and sz, as shown in Fig. `5, to receive the pipe sections 55.

1t will be seen that without such an endA passage joinlng all of the lateral conduits in the adjacent' rows of unitsor blocks, compressed airpockets'would be formed at each such end,

causing various deleterious results, such as uneven water pressures, and` deposition of debris,

etc.. i Y Y lHowever, by providing the above-mentioned Vthat only such limitations sha1 eimposed thereon' as are contained in the accompanying claims.

VI claim as my invention:

1. In a fluid iilter bed, a 'supporting base, a unitary iiuid duct structure comprising a plurality ofspaced rows of perforated filter blocks substantially covering the supporting base and having cementitious material filling the space therebetween, theblocks in' each row havingv interiitting end connections and vertical side walls with a. groove recessed into each wall near the bottom surface of the block, bolts in the supporting base,

blocks, and means cooperating with the bolts and the adjacent recessed walls for anchoring the duct structure`to said supporting base.

2. In a fluid filter bed, a supporting base, a unitary fluid duct structure comprising a plurality of spaced rows of perforated filter blocks substantially covering the supporting base and having.

cementitious material filling the space therebetween, the blocks in each row having interiitting end connections and vertical side walls with a groove recessed into each wall near the bottom surface of the block, and a plurality of metallic' anchor members in the supporting 'base extending into the space between the rows ofblocks, said members having means'cooperating with the adjacent recessed walls for anchoring the duct structure to said supporting base.

3. The combination with a plurality of alined blocks for filter bottoms having cementitious material disposed therebetween and a base of similar material on which said blocks rest, of a plurality of metallic members each having a lowerportion disposed in said base and an upper portion disl posed in said cementitious material between said blocks, said members being spaced from each other in a direction substantially parallel to said blocks, an enlargement at the upper end of each member and an additional member extending bel neath and in contact with each of said enlargements,

4. The combination" with a plurality of alined Vblocks for filter bottoms having cementitious material disposed therebetween and a base of similar material on which said blocks rest, of a plurality of `bolt-like members each having a lower portion disposed in said base and an upper portion dis' posed in said cementitious material between said blocks, said members being spaced from each conduit connecting said conduit opening at one end with said open end of the block, to provide an uninterrupted fluid passage throughthe blocks of each row, said horizontal partition wall having a, plurality of openings from each of said chambers into said conduit, the openings in said top wall being smaller `than the openings in the horizontal partition wail and the total area of the openings in the top wall being substantially equal to the total area of the openings in the horizontal partition wall.

8. A block for filter bottoms comprising a unitary box-shaped hollow structure having one end open and comprising a top wall having a plurality of iiuid openings, bottom and side walls and one end wall, said end wall including a conduit opening adjacent the bottom edge of the block, horizontal and vertical partitions inside the block forming a plurality of chambers adjacent the top wall of the block and a fluid conduit adjacent the bottom wall, said conduit connecting said conduit opening at one end with said open end, to provide a fluid passage through the block, said horizontal partition having a plurality of fluid openings from each' of said chambers into said iiuid conduit.

9. A block for'lter bottoms comprising a unitary box-shaped hollow structure having one end open and comprising a top wall having a pluvrality of fluid openings, bottom and side walls other in a directionsubstantially parallel to said blocks, a head at the upper end of each member within said cementitious material, and a plurality of rod-like members extending beneath and in contact with opposite lower faces of each of said heads.

5. In a fluid filter, the combination of a lter bed, a plurality ofalined distributer chambers located beneathand having openings communieating with said bed and a plurality of alined lateral conduits located beneath and having open? ings communicating with respectively corresponding chambers, the ends of adjacent lateral conduits being in communication with veach other thereby to eliminate compressed air pockets and provide a complete circulation of water through y said lateral conduits.

6. In a fluid alter, the combinaun of a filter bed, a plurality of alined distributer chambers located beneath and having openings communicating withsaid bed and a, plurality of alined lateral conduits located beneath and having openings communicating with respectively corresponding chambers, anda plurality of hollow members having their respective ends disposed in adjacent blocks at the ends of and substantiallyV t right angles to said lateral conduits.

7. A uid filter bottom comprising alurallty of rows of unitary box-shaped hollow b1 cks assembled in end-to-end relation, each of said blocks having one end open and comprising atop w'all having a plurality of fluid openings, bottom and side walls and one end wall, said-end wall including a conduit opening adjacent the bottom edge of the block, horizontal and vertical partlnon walls inside the block forming a plurality' of chambers adjacent the top wall of the block and a fluid conduit adjacent the bottom wall, said and-one end wall, said end wall including a conduit opening adjacent the bottom edge of the block, horizontal and vertical partitions inside the block forming a plurality of chambers adjacent the top wall of the block and a. fluid conduit adjacent the bottom wall, said conduit con-l necting said conduit opening at one end with said open end to provide a fluid passage through the block, said horizontal partition having a plurality of uid openings from each of said chambers into said fluid-conduit, the top surface of the block and all surfaces of the fluid chambers, the conduit and the fluid' openings, having a ceramic glaze. A l

10. A block yfor lter bottoms comprising a unitary box-shaped hollow structure having one end open and comprising a top wall having a plurality of fluid openings, -bottom and side walls and one end wall, said endwall including a con- .duit opening adjacent the bottom edge of the block, horizontal and vertical partitions inside the block forming a plurality of chambers adjacent the top wall of the block and a fluid conduit adjacent the'bottom wall, said conduit connecting said conduit opening at one end with said open end to provide a fluid passage through the block, said horizontal partition having a plurality of openings from l eachof. said chambers into said fluid conduit, the openings in' said top Wall being lsmaller than the openings in the horizontal partition and the total area o f the openings in the top wall being substantially equal to the total area of the openings in ythe horizontal partition.

l 1i.- A fluid-filter bottom comprisinga plurality of rows of unitary box-shaped hollow blocks assembled-in -end-to-end relation, eachkof said blocks having one end open and comprising a top wall having a plurality of fluidopeningS, bottomand side walls and one end wall, said end wall including a conduit opening adjacent the bottom edge of the block, horizontal and vertical partition walls-inside the :block formingI a pluwall, said conduit being substantially coextensive in width and length with the box and connecting said conduit opening at one end with said open end, to provide an uninterrupted fluid passage through the blocks of each row, said horizontal partition wall having a plurality of openings from each of said chambers into said conduit, interlocking means .in said end wall of each block adapted to t into the open ends of said chambers and said conduit, respectively, of the adjacentl block in the row, whereby all the blocks of each row may be -assembled in interlocked relay tion.

12. A uid lter bottom comprising a plurality of- -rows of unitary box-shaped hollow blocks assembled in end-to-end relation, each of said blocks having one end open and comprising a top wall having a plurality of iiuid openings, bottom and side walls and oneend wall, said end wall including aconduit opening adjacent the bottom' edge of the block, horizontal and vertical partition walls inside the block forming a plurality of chambers adjacent the top wall of the block and a uid conduit adjacent the bottom wall. said conduit being substantially coextensive in width and length with -the box and connecting said y conduit opening at one end with said open end.

to provide an uninterrupted fluid passage through l the blocks of each row, said horizontal partition wall having a. plurality of openings from each of said chambers into said conduit, male interengaging means at the periphery of said end wall and of said conduit opening of each block adapted to t into complementary receiving recesses in the walls and partition walls at said open end of the adjacent block in the row, whereby al1 of the blocks 'of each row may be assemv bled in interlocked relation.

13. A block for lter. bottoms comprising a unitary box-shaped hollow structure having one end open and comprising a top wall having a plurality of fluid openings, bottom and side walls and one end wall, said end wall including a conduit opening adjacent the bottom edg'e of 4the block, horizontal and vertical partitions inside the block forming a plurality of chambers adjacent the top wall of the block and a iluid conduit adjaconduit opening at one end with said open end to provide a uid passage through the block, said horizontal partition having 'a plurality of fluid openings from each of said chambers into said uid conduit, interlocking means in said end wall, and complementary recesses in the walls and partitions at said open end of said block, whereby a plurality of blocks may be interlocked in end-toend relation.

14. A block for iilter bottoms 'comprising a unitary box-shaped hollow'structure having one end open and comprising a, top wall having a plurality of iluid openings, bottom and side walls and one end wall, said end wall including a conduit opening adjacent the bottom edge `of the block, horizontal and vertical partitions inside the block forming a' plurality of chambers adjacent the top wall of the block and a uid conduit adjacent;v

said iiuid conduit, male interengaging means at' the periphery of saidend wall and of said conduit opening, and complementary receiving recesses in the walls and partition walls at said open end of 4the block, whereby a plurality of blocks may beinterconnected in end-to-end relation.

15. In a uid filter bed, a supporting base, a

.unitary duid duct structure comprising a plurality of spaced rows of perforated lter blocks substantially covering the supporting base and having cementitious material lling the space therebetween, the blocks in each row having Ainteriitting end connections and vertical side walls with a groove recessed into each wall n ear the bottom surface of the block, and a plurality of metallic anchor members in the supporting base cent the bottom wall, said conduit connecting said extending into the space between the rows of blocks, said-members having bent portions extending in a direction substantially parallel to said rowsA for cooperating with the adjacent re,- cessed walls for anchoring the duct structureito said supporting base.

AJOHN P. MYRON. 

